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Community College Summer Camps for Kids
Community college is not just for young adults; learn how your kids can take advantage of learning opportunities offered at your local community college campus.

Providing students with fun and beneficial group and personal experiences, summer camps can be a great opportunity for kids to interact with others while learning more about themselves and their world. As the American Camp Association supports, “camp provides children with a community of caring adults, who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value,” while the kids and campers can benefit from experiences that foster “self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect.”

While there are a variety of camps and summer venues across the country, parents can take advantage of local and affordable summer camps offered at nearby community colleges. While some high school students already enjoy dual enrollment in public school and community colleges, now even elementary-aged students can learn on these campuses.

The Benefits of Summer Camps

As the American Camp Association (ACA) further reveals, both parents and children can benefit from camping venues, as “parents have reported that when their children return home from camp they are more caring, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible. These are the qualities that will help build a successful nation and a civil society.”

Added to this, ACA also asserts that children are able to thrive, and are at less of a risk, when they are engaged in a “camp where they have a sense of community, develop intergenerational

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Benefits of Internships for Community College Students

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Benefits of Internships for Community College Students
Build your professional and academic career with internships. Learn how to find the right internships through your community college campus.

As the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, many community college students are taking advantage of internship opportunities before they receive their diplomas. Internships can provide students with a variety of benefits, many of which often help push a prospective job candidate’s resume to the top of the application stack.

Benefits of Internships

Learning More about Your Major

One of the foremost benefits of a community college internship is the experience allows students to receive hands-on interaction with work in their field of study. Added to this, for students who are unsure of their major, or uncertain of what their major may lead to careerwise, they can utilize internships to ensure that they are on the correct path of study.

According to college advisors, the average student changes majors three times before finalizing their course of study. According to Dr. Fritz Grupe of My Majors, approximately 80% of high school students begin college without knowing what major they want to study.

By working with different internships, you can hone your professional interest and find the appropriate major for you.

This video reports on a student's internship with Facebook.

Build Your Resume

As a great number of candidates may be applying for a single position, community college interns are able to build up their resume with significant work experiences. In today’s competitive work environment, your resume is what sets you apart

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Support for ESL Students in Community College

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Support for ESL Students in Community College
Learn about the support programs available for ESL students in community college.

As community colleges provide students of diverse backgrounds with access to courses, instruction, and training venues, schools are now implementing increased support for students whose primary and native language is not English. Students who are in the process of learning English are referred as English as a Second Language (ESL) students, and community colleges are revising their programs to extend and improve academic and campus support.

Community College ESL Courses

Many community colleges offer ESL students a variety of specialized language courses. Typically, students will take a proficiency test and will then enroll in the appropriate ESL / language course based on individual skills and abilities. As Kenneth Beare in “Setting ESL Class Objectives” explains, taking “language acquisition needs into consideration when planning a class or individual instruction is crucial for a successful learning experience […] When a student understands his/her reasons for learning English well, he can then better plan his learning strategy. In the classroom, he/she can help the teacher identify needs and desires.”

This video explains what ESL is.

Community College ESL Resources

In addition to specialized courses, most community colleges also provide students with personalized support systems, such as tutoring offices and academic advisors. Students can take advantage of ESL resources by visiting the community college campus resource center, or by meeting with an academic advisor for further guidance and information.

Examining Community College ESL Programs

Mesa

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Community Colleges: Cosmetology Programs

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Community Colleges: Cosmetology Programs
Learn about cosmetology programs in community colleges.

According to statistics from the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, the field of cosmetology contributed to over 825,000 jobs in 2006, and these job numbers continue to grow. In fact, this study concluded that the employment rate of cosmetologists will grow at a faster rate than all other occupations’ averages throughout the year 2016.

As jobs in cosmetology are on the rise, community colleges are implementing more cosmetology programs to provide students with the necessary skills, education, and background to succeed in the field.

What are a Cosmetologist’s Job Duties?

A cosmetologist is an individual who is certified to provide services to clients, which may include:

  • Hair Cutting
  • Hair Styling
  • Hair Coloring
  • Makeup Application
  • Nail Treatments / Manicures
  • Body / Skin Treatments

How Do I Become a Certified Cosmetologist?

In order to work as a cosmetologist, you must be state-licensed. To achieve this licensing, you typically must graduate from a state-licensed cosmetology program and pass an examination. Many community colleges across the country provide students with convenient and accredited programs to help students become licensed and certified practitioners.

How Do I Take the Certification Test?

As the requirements and certifications for cosmetologists vary from state to state, community college advisors can help students prepare and find the appropriate resources for state testing. For example, as the Houston Community College Systems explains, “Students who successfully complete the entire curriculum, and have met the required clock hours are qualified to take the examination for licensing given by the Texas Department

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Tutors and Academic Assistance for Community College Students

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Tutors and Academic Assistance for Community College Students
Learn about tutoring options and academic assistance for community college students.

As students transition to the demands of community college courses, many individuals quickly realize that they are in need of added academic support. While instructors are able to assist during office hours, community colleges also offer resource centers, and even some college courses, to help provide students with added assistance.

Community College Academic Resource Centers

With over five campuses across the state of Iowa, Iowa Lakes Community College provides students with a resource center at each of its campus locations. At the resource centers, students can specifically seek help for academic issues; for example, “Students may request individual tutoring, help with proofreading papers, and/or assistance in developing good study skills.” As many new community college students struggle with essays, homework assignments, or even with issues of organization and memorization, the academic resources at community college campuses can be avenues of beneficial support.

Added to the resources of academic assistance, community college students can also find out information about generalized entry exams, or class placement exams. Furthermore, Iowa Lakes Community College requires “each incoming freshman be assessed. Assessment results help guide students into appropriate academic courses. Students are assessed using ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.” To become prepared and aware of the testing information, students can utilize the campus-wide resource centers to find out sample test questions, testing dates, and testing strategies.

This video offers an overview of Iowa Lakes Community College.

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